VECO named Alaska exporter of the year for 2000

JUNEAU (AP) -- An Alaska company that employs 4,500 people, including 2,000 in foreign countries, is Alaska's Exporter of the Year for 2000.

''VECO is an Alaska-founded and Alaska-owned company that exports project engineering, construction, and operations expertise around the world,'' said Gov. Tony Knowles.

He said VECO sells Alaska services and know-how to markets in Russia, China, Kuwait, India, Central Africa and Egypt.

From its origins as a welding and pipefitting support company in Cook Inlet, VECO has grown to an engineering and construction company that performs a broad range of support services, including major design-build projects for the oil and gas and mining industries.

Knowles said VECO is one of Alaska's major supporters of charities and the arts.

Runner up in the competition was Williams Alaska Petroleum. The company's refinery at North Pole processes about 215,000 barrels of Alaska crude oil per day. The company converts about 63,000 barrels daily into refined product for use in Alaska and foreign markets, including Japan and Taiwan.